My mother was 95 this year.  She and I shared many sweet moments over the years, but about a month ago, something extraordinary occurred.  I was saying goodbye to her before leaving on a trip. Mom was not a very expressive person when it came to emotions.  She preferred to communicate with humor and old fashioned hospitality.  But that day, as I was heading for her door after giving her a hug, I looked back and saw something in her eyes I hadn’t seen before.  At the time I wasn’t sure what it was.  Two days later she died.  As we headed back home down the highway, I understood what it was I had seen in her eyes.  I believe she knew somehow deep inside that she wouldn’t see me again, and what I saw was absolutely a mother’s longing to never lose sight of her children.

I will never forget that look in my mother’s eyes.  In honor of her and of all human and animal mothers, let us dedicate this week to a prayer and a vision.  We give thanks for motherhood, and yet we recognize that there are billions of loving mothers whose precious babies have been taken from them.  We recognize that motherhood itself has become a commodity creating wealth for a few and tears and agony for the many. But we give thanks because we know the truth.  The love that I saw in my mother’s eyes, and the love that we hear in the cries of chickens, cows, elephants, and so many others is more powerful than greed and fear.  That Love that lives in all hearts is creating a new world.  It is alive and strong and moving us all toward a compassionate world of liberation and peace for all beings. 

With Love, peace, and gratitude from Judy, and Will, Madeleine, and the Circle of Compassion team.

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